Seventeen New York City correction officers, including a captain, will face disciplinary actions for their roles in the death just over a year ago of a 27-year-old transgender woman at the Rikers Island jail complex, officials said on Friday. The captain and three other officers were suspended without pay immediately for their conduct in the death of the woman, Layleen Polanco, who was found unresponsive in her cell after having an epileptic seizure, Mayor Bill de Blasio said. “What happened to Layleen was absolutely unacceptable and it is critical that there is accountability,” Mr. de Blasio said in a statement. The mayor’s announcement came three weeks after Darcel D. Clark, the Bronx district attorney, said that she had declined to pursue criminal charges against any Rikers officers after a six-month investigation into Ms. Polanco’s death.

Source: New York Times June 26, 2020 21:28 UTC